Taking Lycopene To Heart

Monday, March 1, 2004

(NAPSA)—A growing number of people are taking the nutrition and health of their family to heart by serving heart-healthy meals using ketchup, pasta sauce or other processed tomato products. Why processed tomato products? Besides being favorites around the world, products such as ketchup, tomato sauce and other tomato-based foods are abundant sources of tomato lycopene—an antioxidant that research has shown may help reduce the risk of heart disease andother ailments. According to a study commissioned by the H.J. Heinz Company, the public’s awarenessof the benefits of tomato lycopene in a healthy diet is higher than ever before. In 1998, an initial survey conducted by Heinz asked consumers if they were aware of lycopene, and only 6.5 percent of participants responded positively. The latest 2003 survey results show that 37.3 percent of people asked had heard of the antioxidant—a dramatic increase. Results from Heinz’s most recent survey further revealed interesting information about functional foods, namely tomatoes. Functional foods are foods which, in addition to their nutritional function, may enhance health or prevent illness. Five years ago, only 9.3 percent of respondents polled had heard of functional foods. During this survey, that numberincreased to 11.1 percent. Notonly is there a growth in public awareness, but emerging evidence also showsthat lycopene may reduce the risk of certain diseases other than heart disease. For instance, lycopene mayaid in the fight against macular degenerative disease (eyes), osteoporosis (bone), diabetes (pan- creas) and cancer (lungs, breasts, ovaries, cervix, prostate, stomach/ intestines, skin and bladder). Every “body” May Benefit from Lycopene Emerging evidence showsthatlycopenefrom processed tomatoes may reducetherisk of certain diseases within the human body. Lycopene maybenefit: EYES Macular Degenerative Disease SKELETAL SYSTEM Osteoporosis LUNGS BREASTS Cancer Cancer HEART Coronary Heart Disease a STOMACH/INTESTINES __OVARIES Cancer Digestive Tract Cancer PROSTATE one \ PANCREAS Diabetes Prevention L m\ sin / Cancer BLADDER J Cancer \ CERVIX Concer CIRCULATORY SYSTEM Cardiovascular Disease va @ Emerging evidence showsthat lycopene may reducetherisk of certain diseases, including heart disease. Researchis ongoing, but the benefits of lycopene in tomatoes and other fruits and vegetables seem to increase with each new study. The biggest sources of lycopene in the North American diet are processed tomato products such as Heinz Tomato Ketchup, Classico Pasta Sauces, and tomato juice and sauce. The versatility and taste of these products allows for easy use and incorporation into any meal and diet. Absence may make the heart grow fonder, but lycopene may makethe heart grow stronger ..and that is a reason to celebrate. Heinz Ketchup ChickenChili Ib. skinless, boneless chicken breasts cut into 1inch pieces % cup choppedgreenbell pepper 1 15 oz. can kidney beans, drained 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth 1 % 2 1 % % thsp. chili powder cup chopped onion cloves mincedgarlic 14% oz. can diced tomatoes cup Heinz Tomato Ketchup tsp. crushed red pepper Spray medium saucepan with nonstick cooking spray. Cook the chicken breasts, cut into 1l-inch pieces, chopped onions, chopped green bell pepper and minced garlic over medium-high heat until chicken is no longer pink, stirring constantly. Add the garbanzo or kidney beans, diced tomatoes, chicken broth, Heinz Tomato Ketchup, chili powder and crushed red pepper. Cover; simmer 10 minutes. Serve with sour cream,sliced green onions, shredded cheese and tortilla chips as desired. Servings: Calories: Lycopene: 4 234 16.9 mg ween nee eee eee eee eee eee eee OTe nee eee eee eee ee eee eee Note: February is Heart Month. This story, however, can be used at any point during the year.

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